Rise of Faith Lutheran
Groundbreaking by Pastor Vogel, February 4,
1962
Photo courtesy Robert & Sally Vogel Collection, Gardner
Family Collection
The congregation broke ground around its first anniversary of organization, on February 4, 1962. They hired Trico Builders of Arvada to construct the church, and Faith Lutheran was built into the elevated slope, a church on a hill overlooking the Golden valley. True to Jones's form, the building used a great amount of wood and glass, and the cantilevered southern transept projected dramatically over the hillside.
Pastor Vogel atop the southwest transept with
construction worker
Photo courtesy Robert & Sally Vogel Collection, Gardner
Family Collection
Altar at the Easter Sunrise Service, April
22, 1962
Photo courtesy Robert & Sally Vogel Collection, Gardner
Family Collection
On April 22, 1962 the congregation was treated to a dramatic Easter sunrise service in the newly-framed, unfinished building, whose east and west walls did not yet substantially exist, offering terrific views. But soon they were all enclosed, yet still offering terrific views.
Women of Faith laying the floor tiles
Photo courtesy Robert & Sally Vogel Collection, Gardner
Family Collection
The whole project was quite a major leap of faith for the fledgling congregation. Several times plans changed, even while the building was being built. Some expenses were added to accommodate needs, while other planned items were trimmed to bring costs back to earth. Although Faith Lutheran was a mission congregation and was free to depart from prescribed ALC building formats, the building still took a lot of resources to build. As Faith Lutheran rose it became clear the congregation could not afford to pay for everything. So, congregation members volunteered to do a number of items themselves. The creation of Faith Lutheran was one of the most hands-on church building projects for a congregation in Golden's history!
Pastor Vogel opens the doors to all - July
29, 1962
Photo courtesy Robert & Sally Vogel Collection, Gardner
Collection
On July 29 Pastor Vogel proclaimed "God bless this house, and all who enter herein" and opened Faith Lutheran's doors to all. Among those presiding at this dedication service was Pastor Vogel's grandfather, Rev. Krauss, also a Lutheran minister, who had baptized, confirmed, married and ordained Faith's pastor, and was now here to help dedicate the home of the congregation his grandson had founded.